God's Compassion

(Psalms 145:8-9 NIV) The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. {9} The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

(Romans 9:15-16 NIV) For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." {16} It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.


My question a few days ago was whether God really has compassion on all He has made. The bible says so and yet He also says He will have compassion on whom He has compassion on.  The bible says God's compassion depends on God mercy and not on man's desires or efforts. So how? 

(Psalms 103:11-14 NIV) For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; {12} as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. {13} As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; {14} for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

I know then He has compassion on those who fear Him, revere Him.

Thankfully there are verses in the bible where Jesus has compassion on the sick and healed them. 

(Matthew 9:35-36 NIV) Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. {36} When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd

This much is His nature. To heal the sick to all who come to Him and He is the same yesterday, today and forever. For what good are we to Him sick unless we have no intention of serving Him here but to continue living our lives the way we think fit.


Here is 'Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible' on Psalm 145:8-9:

"The Lord is good to all,.... Which is to be understood not of the general and providential goodness of God to all men, to all his creatures, and the works of his hands; but of the special goodness of Christ before mentioned, Psalm 145:7; which extends to all the chosen people of God; who are all loved by Christ, redeemed by him, justified and glorified by him; and to Gentiles as well as Jews; for whom he tasted death, laid down his life a ransom for them, and became the propitiation for their sins. Hence his Gospel has been sent to both; and some of each have been effectually called by his grace, and more will. This shows this psalm belongs to Gospel times, in which the grace of Christ appears more large and extensive:

and his tender mercies are over all his works; meaning not all the creatures his hands have made; though he has a tender regard to them, and is kind and merciful to them all; but such as are made new creatures in him and by him, who are eminently called his workmanship, the work of his hands; these, all of them, share in his special mercy and goodness; see Ephesians 2:10."

So now I understand that truly God is compassionate to all the chosen people of a God, the elect, who love Him and is loved by Him, redeemed and justified by Him and not generally to mean compassionate to all He has created.

The reason I had to know is that out of His compassion comes his healing for the elect, for those who are sick and who come to Him for healing. The verse Romans 9:15-16 which talks about whom He has compassion on relates to the ones He has chosen as His elect. That one, we cannot question Him. And how do I know I am one of the elect. Well, Leong Tien Fook said during Hebrews class that the more you are worried whether you are really saved, there is a good chance you are!

"You see, not everyone who is a descendant of Abraham is part of God’s chosen people (Romans 9:7).  Abraham had two sons-Ishmael and Isaac-but it was upon Isaac that God’s covenant promises were bestowed.  To further show that God’s sovereign choice of election is based solely on his will and not on any merit of ours, Paul tells us about the sons of Isaac-Jacob and Esau.  Jacob was chosen over Esau while both were still in the womb (Romans 9:10-13).  The point of all this is to show that not all descendants of Abraham are God’s chosen people.  Why?  The reason is the Jews made a big deal about being “Sons of Abraham” (Luke 3:8; John 8:39)." 
(source: http://newcreationperson.wordpress.com/2008/09/23/does-god-predestine-people-to-hell/)


Praise the Lord for the certainty that God has compassion on me and for all who believe in Him. Praise the Lord indeed! Thank you. Lord for leading me to this understanding.